Brad Pitt snaps fiancee Angelina Jolie and their children whilst on board a luxury yacht in Sydney, Australia on Friday

It had been reported that Brad Pitt was set to reunite with wife Angelina Jolie in Sydney this Christmas.

But it was a case of Christmas coming early for the Jolie-Pitts on Friday, as Brad joined Angelina, 38, and their six children, Maddox, 12, Pax, nine, Shiloh, seven, Zahara, eight, and five-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

The family came together on board a luxury yacht named Ghost in Sydney Harbour, and Brad immediately started documenting their holiday on his camera.

Family portrait: Brad Pitt snaps fiancee Angelina Jolie and their children whilst on board a luxury yacht in Sydney, Australia on Friday

Brad has been hard at work filming war drama The Fury in England, whilst Angelina has been based in Sydney directing her next feature, Unbroken.

A source had told UsWeekly that Brad was set to fly out to his family just after his 50th birthday on December 18 to join fiance Angelina, but it looks as though Brad couldn't wait another moment.

As Angelina and the children lay on the top of the yacht, doting dad Brad took the opportunity for a family photograph as he snapped away on a digital SLR camera.

Snap happy: Brad took pictured of fiance Angelina, 38, and their six children, Maddox, 12, Pax, nine, Shiloh, seven, Zahara, eight, and five-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne

Fun for all the family: Shiloh pulls a face while Zahara is all smiles as their father Brad snaps away

Picture perfect: Angelina stays close to daughters Zahara and Vivienne for another snap of the family

Christmas come earlier: Brad Pitt and fiancee Angelina Jolie reunite spending the day with their children on board a luxury yacht named Ghost in Sydney

Angelina was seen gathering the children together, dressed plainly in black, with a jacket and aviator shades.
Earlier, Brad and Angelina had been seen arriving with the family at the beach, and getting on a water taxi making their way to the large cruiser.
It was certainly a day of fun on the boat as the children played together blissfully, whilst their loving parents watched on.

Fun in the sun: Brad stands over the children who appear to be playing games together on the luxury yacht

Taking a break: Brad has been hard at work filming war drama The Fury in England, whilst Angelina has been based in Sydney directing her next feature, Unbroken

Rocking out: Pax proved to be a heavy metal fan as she wore a Metallica hooded jumper on board

Who's the Braddy? Proud Pitt watches over his brood as he takes yet another family snap

There was also time for some paddle-boarding, and later on dry land, a trip to the zoo.
This is the first time the two actors - who met eight years ago on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith - have been apart for so long.
They last spent time together on November 16 when the actress was picking up a Humanitarian Award at the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences fifth annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles.

Just couldn't wait: It had been reported that Brad was to visit Angelina just after his 50th birthday on December 18 to join his fiancee for some holiday cheer

Yacht life: Angelina kicks back with her son Pax, as she takes a break from directing her new film Unbroken

Proud Braddy! Pitt takes a snap of his son Knox receiving a paddle-boarding lesson in Sydney

Splashing around: The action-packed day saw Brad and his children take park in activities such as paddle-boarding

The two were affectionate as they sat next to each other during the ceremony. 
Since then Angelina has been spotted spending her down time with Vivienne and Knox in Sydney.
Last month, the owners of Petra Island in the middle of Lake Mahopac in Putnam County, New York, denied reports that Angelina had splashed $20 million on the land ahead of her husband's 50th birthday next month by revealing the paradise retreat is still up for sale.

All aboard: Zahara, Angelina and Vivienne enjoy the wind and the sun as they stroll across the luxury cruiser

Kodak moment: Vivienne punches the air as Angelina looks on into the distance as they pose for pictures taken by Brad

Coming together: Both Brad and Angelina are busy with filming commitments across the globe, but took some time out in Sydney at the weekend

Not quite luxury: Brad and Angelina slum it in a water taxi as they make their way to their destination

The exclusive heart-shaped island is located approximately 50 miles north of Manhattan, but Donna Massaro - whose parents Joseph and Barbara own the retreat - insists they haven't received an offer since the land was put on the market four months ago.

She told the New York Post newspaper: 'I don't have any idea where that [report] came from. The family threw it out there to see if anyone was interested, and so far no [potential buyers] have [come forward].'
The 11-acre island contains two properties designed by Brad's favourite architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, including a cottage built in the 1950s and a 5,000ft main residence constructed in  2008 from one of the master architect's final plans.

Sparkler: Angelina proudly showed off her engagement ring as she made her way to the luxury yacht

Being Braddy: Pitt seemed to be having the time of his life with his family on a break from his filming his latest movie in England

Family adventure: Brad, Angelina and their brood make their way to a water taxi to climb aboard the Ghost yacht in Sydney

Jetting out: The Jolie-Pitt's were seen getting on this water taxi as they left Sydney Harbour

Meanwhile, Brad recently revealed that he will only let his eldest son, Maddox, watch his new film 12 Years A Slave.

The 49-year-old actor told the TODAY show in October: 'Maybe my eldest I would, right now. I'd rather for the others to get a little bit older and understand the dynamics of the world a little more.'

The movie tells the true story of Solomon Northup, who is abducted and sold into slavery in New York.

Capturing the magic: Brad certainly wanted to return to his filming commitments in the UK with a fair few family photos

Say cheese: The family braved the windy weather as Brad took a group shot on deck

Family fun: Brand and Angelina guide their children inside the yacht while taking a break in Australia

Story time: Angelina looks as though she's entertaining her brood with a scary tale as she makes a claw gesture on board

Ahoy there! There was no shortage of interest from fellow tourists who sailed past the world famous family

Brad plays a Canadian who works on the plantation where Solomon is sent and although he only has a small part in the movie, he said the role is one of his proudest to date.

He added: 'It's why I got into film in the first place. It's one of those few films that cuts to the base of our humanity.'

The actor also insisted he isn't worried about celebrating his 50th birthday on December 18 and has 'no complaints' about getting older.

Ready for the holidays: Brad and Ange take a moment out of their hectic schedules for some downtime with the family

Helping hand: Angelina is given a lift onto the water taxi taking the actress and her children to the yacht named Ghost

Setting sail: Angelina was in a perky mood as she held what looked like a coffee making her way to the yacht

[Like mother like daughter: Vivienne appears to mirror Angelina as they stand together on the yacht

The following day Angelina took Shiloh, Zahara, Vivienne and Knox on a shopping expedition to Berkelouw Books in Sydney, followed by a trip to the IGA supermarket in Bondi for groceries.
The smart mum let her children carry the bags as they left the shop.

On a book hunt: Angelina clasped Vivienne's hand while Zahara, Knox and Shiloh walked in front of her, holding hands on a trip to a Berkelouw Books store in Sydney on Saturday

Mommy's little helpers: The children carried the groceries for the actress as they left the IGA supermarket in Bondi